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Indo-Pak anti-terror mechanism's first meet
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March 05, 2007 21:16 IST

For the first time, India and Pakistan will discuss anti-terror cooperation when the two sides meet on Tuesday.

New Delhi will share details of the involvement of Pakistan-based elements in incidents of terrorism in India, including in the Mumbai blasts.

At the two-day meeting in Islamabad, India will present proof of Pakistani linkages to various terror incidents that have taken place, except the Samjhauta Express blast in which investigation is still in progress.

The Indian side is also expected to give details of Pakistani linkages found in the Mumbai train blasts on July 11.

Investigators had found Pakistan-based terror groups behind the deadly blasts that killed nearly 200 commuters and injured 800, leading to a brief chill in the relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

New Delhi is expected to cite how 11 Pakistanis sneaked into India via Gujarat, Bangladesh and Nepal to carry out the serial blasts. One of them died on the explosions while others fled back.

A three-member Indian delegation, led by K C Singh, Additional Secretary (International Organisations) in the External Affairs Ministry, reached Islamabad on Monday.

Regarding the terror attack on cross-border Samjhauta Express on February 18 in which both Indians and Pakistanis were killed, New Delhi is unlikely to share much details except how the blasts occurred and what kind of explosives were used.

At least 68 people, travelling from Delhi to Lahore via Amritsar by the train, were killed in the twin blasts. At least half of them were Pakistanis. Investigators have so far not succeeded in concluding as to who was behind the attack but fingers of suspicion point to terror groups based on Pakistan.

Pakistan had sought joint investigation into the case, a demand that was rejected by India.

New Delhi, however, promised to share the outcome of the probe and asked Islamabad to cooperate in tracking the culprits of the attack.

New Delhi has sought access to the Pakistanis injured in the blasts or those who left the country soon after the incident to help the investigation. Pakistan rejected this. Ahead of the meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said India should inform Pakistan of the investigation being made in Samjhauta Express blasts.

"As the investigation into the incident progresses, we should also be informed about this," he said at a function held on Sunday.

At the meeting, India will also cite evidence of Pakistani linkages to terror attacks in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Delhi and other places.


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